M&S what on earth are you talking about?

I would be amazed if M&S were not monitoring what is being said about them (they may not respond or take any notice) Large companies run software that trawls the internet looking for key words, like their name, so that they can see what is being said about them.
Our son worked for a company that provided the software and service to many major companies (many being well known High Street names)
He had gas central heating installed by one of the main energy companies, they wrecked his house and the installation was appalling and unsafe. They would not even discuss his problems until he posted his story on one of the Money web sites. The company contacted him 2 days later wishing to meet to discuss a solution that would enable him to delete his story. He had expert and photo evidence, which he posted along with the facts. Needless to say they bought in new contractors, completely replaced the system, repaired the damage and paid compensation for everything that was ruined (carpets etc)
The web is a very powerful tool, just make sure you are honest and sure of your facts, otherwise you may find your words biting you on the backside..

Well, having posted this morning I then emailed M&S and asked if anyone there watched GN-they loftily said they didn't! I shall reply over the weekend and say it's time they did!

Surely MandS has had its day now? I know everyone moans, but it's a legitimate moan. The sizing is so inconsistent now; you can't walk in and pick up anything and walk out again, knowing that it'll fit. That was the beauty of Marksies-if you wanted something in a hurry you could buy there with confidence but now? No.

But the rot set in years ago. I used to work with people who made underwear for Marksies in factories scattered throughout South Wales. They were all made redundant in favour of cheaper labour in the Far East. Did we kick up a fuss? No. Did we boycott Marksies in droves? No.

Marksies hasn't been the British institution we know and love for years. Maybe it's time for it to be put out of its misery.

Their website drives me mad. I hate shopping and so love to do it online. I can collect FOC easily from local shop and then return anything FOC to co-op at the end of our road.
I like to wear full length nighties (even in summer-always cold legs) with short sleeves. They stopped making nighties long enough (I'm 5' 8") I wrote and was told they don't make full length any more. . . . . . .H&S! Pathetic! As others have said listen to the customer, I can't be the only one.

Now you come to mention it, Greenfinch, you are right about the disappearing mirrors. I bet it's something to do with Health and Safety. Ridiculous.

Ha! Ha!

Brilliant isn't it Greenfinch ? All those management graduates and apparently none of them can put a few screws in

I remember pegs from when they were around previously, pleats like chinos & a tapered leg only flattering on the tall & skinny - which I was

I can find jeans in M & S jeans which fit me quite well and more so than in other stores.
It's all about the problem of womans backsides coming in in so many shapes and sizes. They are hardest part of the body to get correctly fitted.

Any one remember when M and S did matching tops and bottoms in different sizes, ideal if you were a 14 up top and a 16 down below. This would have been in the 60s.

I used to be a big M & S shopper but can't be bothered now. I have ordered a shirt for my son on-line but it still hasn't arrived and the website isn't very easy to use.

That is ridiculous Deedaa. Couldn't they at least fix them to the walls.

Years ago M&S sizing was much more accurate. We were told if we were size 14 then anything in size 14 would fit and it did. They had no changing rooms till comparatively recently. You bought your size and took it home with confidence. Skirt and trouser lengths were clearly marked. And remember their slogan? Proud to be British as most things were made in the UK. All that has been lost now sadly.

And have you noticed that there are very few mirrors in the stores now, so you can't even hold stuff up in front of you? When I asked about this I was told that they had taken most of them away in case they fell on someone!

I actually did buy some 'peg leg ' trousers last Summer and find them very comfortable. They are just ordinary cotton trousers with a small turn up. Silly name though!

Very annoying, Deedaa. Why don't MandS realise that their poor (very) sizing puts many of us off ordering on-line. Even in-store it is essential to try stuff on as one size 14 will not be the same as the next size 14 and if you are short of time that can be just too much of a nuisance. N wonder their clothes sales are doing badly. Wake up, MandS!!!

I've just bought a bra and two pairs of knickers in the sale and one pair is noticeably tighter than the other. Not the end of the world but a bit annoying.

Greenfinch - I think the quality of the material in MandS clothes has declined in everything. Last time I looked I saw a sea of polyester and viscose and acrylic. Such a shame. MandS should use the Gransnet threads as a cheap form of market research and give us what we want - follow the old marketing adage 'the customer is king'.

Yes those were the days Deedaa.Shopping was so much easier.I love M and S velvet trousers and because I have the larger sizes and they are elasticated, I find I can fit into a variety of sizes and both short and medium but I do find the quality of the material has declined compared with the ones I used to buy.

I remember my DM buying a trouser suit - probably the first time she had worn trousers and she must have been nearly 70 at the time!

How hard can it be?
Very hard Deedaa
I looked for jeans in a 'flagship' M&S - all sizes but mine, all shapes except straight, all colours except indigo.
Then! I found a pair and tried them on and they fitted well. So I trawled the whole store for another pair and found exactly the same ones, but a shade or two lighter and bought both pairs.

Guess what - the lighter pair don't fit very well at all.

I thought it was great when M&S started doing shirts that were 2.5" longer because both DH and SiL have gorilla arms. Not so great when the only ones they can produce are white or white!

Do you remember the good old days Greenfinch when things didn't come in 6 different fits? You just bought shirts, trousers or skirts and didn't have to have a spreadsheet with you to decide what you wanted.

To a lesser extent I found John Lewis confusing when buying a shirt for DS. I knew his neck size and assumed rightly that tailored fit was for the slimmer man but what was the difference between regular and classic? I asked and was told there is absolutely no difference.They both mean the same thing.

Only if you sit down in them Nonnie1

The only way to trust if the trouser or jean will fit and more importantly suit you - is to try them on and see what style suits your own body shape.

I would say that stretch jeans are easy to wear but they do sag at the back after a while defeating the object.

Re the MandS mature model, Deedaa, I thought she looked quite ill! Why can't they get a mature model who looks normal? A size 14 would be about right, none of this size 10 nonsense.